I got a little frustrated trying to figure out what the problem was with the engine and went on to relieve that stress by chopping the bed's quarter panels.
The bed was bent and I'll most likely need a new one, so I thought I'd see what the bed looks like cut.

So, here's some pics, if anyone cares to see.

I put the bed back on truck to give a better representation of what it should look like. The bed on this isn't properly positioned so it is sitting a little crooked and plus the spare tire and the bumperare off, so the weight of those aremaking the backendsettle to it's originalpositions.





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holycrap! why did you cut the bed like that?

 

The shot from behind looks like its lifting its *** in the air, waiting to be mounted by another truck!

 

yea no go for me that looks like well not good!

 

That's what I call "thinking outside of the box!"

 

HAHA!!

The reason, because it'sNOT a street truck... yes, there are chrome 20" wheels on it, but those will be gone and 16" beadlocks with 38" IROKs will take their place.Also because itwas there and I'mgoing to build a flat bedso I didn't need that bed and alsobecauseno one else has posted that they've done it on a dakota. well, at least not on this site or pirate4x4.com or anywhere that google can search.

It must be the rock-crawler in me, but I actually like it.It works well for approaches and descending on steep rocks. Plus you can build a 1/4" thick bumper with extended tubing underneath the flat quarter panel. This works greathi-lift spots. I've done the same thing on my oldXJ and on my friends FJ60.

Take a look over at pirate4x4.com for rear quarter panel cutting.

 

the minitrucker in me likes it too...
more room for custom sheetmetal

 

so what kinda suspension lift are you gonna do? cause theres not too many good ones out for daks

 

I'm plan on doing a SAS in the front using a HP Dana 60 or HPDana 44.I'll pull the chrysler 9 1/4" and run a full floater dana60 rear.With those I can definitely four link the rear and front. I'll run coil overs front and rear. Note the key word PLAN.... plans change so... we'll see in the end if that's the road I really will take.

 

thats sounds sweet. I've always wanted to SAS in the front of mine cause I hate the IFS.[:'(]